The "Making War, Waging Peace" forum is Nov. 3 at Hood River Valley Christian Church. The secular event is free, with donations accepted. Seating capacity is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 9 a.m. A photo exhibit of Afghanistan will be on display.

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10 a.m. "Why Do They Hate Us?"

Professor Zaher Wahab from Lewis & Clark College is a native of Afghanistan who has traveled to his homeland twice in the past year. He will talk about his country and the current crisis. Professor Laurie Mercier from Washington State University, Vancouver, will discuss the historical context of U.S. interventions around the world during the 20th century. Professor Jon Mandaville, director of the Middle Eastern Studies Center at Portland State University, will address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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11:45 a.m. "Islam"

Professor Jon Mandaville will offer an overview of Islam -- a religion that is practiced by one out of every six people in the world. Intisar Azzuz, president of the American-Muslim Council, Oregon chapter, will talk about Islam as it relates to current events. Shahriar Ahmed, president of the Bilal Mosque in Beaverton and member of a number of American-Muslim associations, will speak about how American Muslims are trying to integrate themselves into U.S. society. A time for questions, answers and dialogue will follow each panel.

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1 p.m. Lunch will be provided for attendees.

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2 p.m. Keynote address by former U.S. congresswoman Elizabeth Furse.

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3:15 p.m. "Making War, Waging Peace"

Dr. Catherine Thomasson, president of the Oregon chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, will talk about the U.S. militarization of the Mideast, and the proposed missile defense shield as an acceleration of the arms race. Professor Courtney Campbell, director of the Program for Ethics, Science and the Environment at Oregon State University, will discuss ways in which the U.S. has dealt with terrorism in the past, and how the U.S. can respond to it more successfully now. Peter Bergel, Executive Director of Oregon PeaceWorks and founding editor of the Oregon Peaceworker newspaper, will address the importance of standing in solidarity with Middle Easterners targeted for hate crimes here in the U.S. He will also speak about "war fever" and caution against the erosion of civil liberties in a time of war.

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Event organizers encourage people to carpool to the church, which is located at 975 Indian Creek Road. There is limited on-site childcare at the event, with reservations taken through Community Ed at 386-2055. More information about the event can also be obtained through Community Ed.